LAS VEGAS — After a shooting at October’s First Friday arts festival, Mayor Shelley Berkley announced Tuesday that the city will consider pausing the monthly event while safety measures are reviewed. The possible hiatus has sparked a conversation among Arts District owners about how the festival could return and what a break would mean for the artists who rely on it for income.
City officials coordinate safety response
Berkley said Metro Police, city marshals and the First Friday Foundation are working together to address security concerns. “We’re probably going to take a pause and make sure that we’re going to get this right,” the mayor said, adding that the city is not seeking to end the tradition but wants to ensure a safe environment for attendees.
Local business owners weigh impact
Derek Stonebarger, owner of Rebar and Davy’s in the Arts District, said the neighborhood would have felt a far greater impact if First Friday had disappeared a decade or more ago. Today, he noted, the area is less dependent on a single night each month. “So it’ll have a minor impact, but it’s not like it’s devastating,” Stonebarger said.
His primary concern is for the artists who count on festival sales to cover rent. Stonebarger said he would be willing to help artists find space in his establishments if the event pauses. “A pause or a hiatus isn’t really beneficial, but if that’s our choice, we can recover from it, and so can First Friday,” he added.
Stonebarger pointed out that First Friday has taken breaks before and could eventually return with a smaller footprint. In the meantime, he expects people will still gather in the neighborhood on the first Friday of each month, even without an organized festival, and hopes police presence will remain.
Artists see opportunity for growth
Izaac Zevalking, owner of Recycled Propaganda and a longtime participant, said First Friday helped launch his career. He has served on the boards of First Friday and the 18b Arts District Association and has been part of the festival for 12 years. “It’s when you know everybody’s going to come and see your work, and it’s what you make work in anticipation of,” Zevalking said.
Although a pause would be upsetting, Zevalking believes the event may be outgrowing the neighborhood. He was painting near the shooting that night and sees a break as a chance for the community to heal and rethink how the festival serves artists. “It would be great if we focused on supporting artists and making it a springboard to have a gallery, to do more gallery shows, to do bigger projects and really inspire self‑confidence with artists that are just starting out,” he said.
Both Zevalking’s gallery and Stonebarger’s businesses plan to stay open regardless of the festival’s status, ensuring that the Arts District remains active even if the organized event is temporarily halted.
Mayor’s outlook
Berkley emphasized that the city is not looking to end First Friday and that the event could return as early as December. Several safety options are under consideration, though specific changes were not detailed in the interview.
The discussion reflects a broader commitment by Las Vegas officials to balance vibrant cultural events with public safety, a priority that aligns with the city’s tradition of supporting local arts while protecting residents and visitors.
Original reporting: News 3 KSNV Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
